Construction is underway on a plus‑shaped, self‑filtering pool at Pier 35 that will let New Yorkers swim safely in river water as soon as next summer.
New York City is finally getting a chance to dip a toe—then an entire lap—into the East River. After more than a decade of planning, the 9,000‑square‑foot +POOL has left its Mississippi shipyard and is on course for Pier 35 on the Lower East Side, promising four separate swimming areas, zero chlorine, and water as clear as any inland pool.
Chemical‑free filtration system turns East River water into swimmable pools
How does it work? A multi‑layer membrane surrounding the vessel draws in river water, strains out contaminants, and returns the clean flow when the day is done. Friends of +POOL say the setup can process “thousands of gallons an hour,” meeting stringent health codes without a drop of added chemicals. Pretty neat, right? Ever dreamed of a pool that fits every mood? +POOL’s cross‑shaped layout does exactly that:
- Lap pool – 25‑meter lanes for serious training.
- Sports pool – extra‑deep section for water polo and aerobics.
- Kids’ pool – shallower depth and warmer water for little splashers.
- Lounge pool – wide, calm space for soaking on steamy afternoons.
Because the sections can be isolated or combined, the facility can host lessons at one end while casual bathers chill at another. The floating frame also rises and falls with the tide, keeping decks level no matter the river’s mood.
Community programs and waterfront activism pave the way for the launch
Long before the first steel beam was welded, the nonprofit Friends of +POOL ran water‑quality workshops, floating art shows, and free STEM classes along the harbor. Their goal? Re‑introduce New Yorkers to the blue edge of their own city. “For generations, the rivers were something you looked at, not touched,” says co‑founder Dong‑Ping Wong. “We’re turning that idea on its head.”
The city agrees: officials cleared the final regulatory hurdles in late 2024, citing both the recreational value and the project’s potential to spotlight river cleanup efforts.
What happens next?
After final fit‑out this summer, the structure will be towed up the coast, installed, and tested in situ. If all goes to plan, public swims could begin during the 2026 season; timed tickets are expected to be free or low‑cost, with priority for school programs. Consequently, the East River—once viewed as off‑limits—may become Manhattan’s coolest summer hangout.
+POOL blends design flair, environmental tech, and civic energy to make city swimming feel fresh again. Keep an eye on Pier 35; next year’s heat waves might find you floating safely in river water you never thought you’d touch.